Organization: FactSpace West Africa
Applicant: Rabiu Alhassan
Assessor: Raymond Joseph
Background
Ghana, as is the case with other countries in West Africa, has a serious problem with mis- and information, with much of it coming from politicians and political parties. Although GhanaFact only launched late last year it has quickly got up to speed thanks to assistance it has received from Full Fact in the UK and AfricaCheck in South Africa. GhanaFact is producing a wide range of fact-checks on different issues. They do not focus on any single political party or politician and their fact-checks are interesting and varied. It is gratifying to see how, as the IFCN grows, that more established, older fact-checking organisations are willing to share their knowledge to help newer initiatives get off the ground.
Assessment Conclusion
With the recommendations I made as part of my assessment having been implemented, I am satisfied that GhanaFact is fully compliant with the all requirements for membership of the IFCN.
Raymond Joseph assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
GhanaFact is a welcome and much-needed initiative in a country - and region - where “fake news” is a serious problem. It will go a long way in helping fight the scourge of mis- and disinformation in Ghana. Hopefully, with Ghanaian media now aware that what they report will be fact-checked, it will help raise the level of accuracy and honesty in local reporting. It will also help an often-confused public identify false information and help stop its spread
Section 1: Eligibility to be a signatory
To be eligible to be a signatory, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 1.1 The applicant is a legally registered organization, or a distinct team or unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.
- 1.2 The team, unit or organization is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking.
- 1.3 The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application. For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track. Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
- 1.4 On average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in the view of the IFCN, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
- 1.5 The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
- 1.6 If the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it provides a statement on its site setting out to the satisfaction of the IFCN, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports.
Criteria 1.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain where on your website you set out information about your organization’s legal status and how this complies with criteria. Attach a link to the relevant page of your website.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The "About Us" page on our website clearly states that FactSpace West Africa is a legally registered non-profit organisation set up for the purpose of fact-checking and news verification in August 2019. Copies of our registration documents with Ghana's Registrar General's department will be sent if requested.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
FactSpace has provided documentation to prove that it is legally registered and licenced to do business terms of Ghana's Companies Act.
In the "About section on its website, it states: "Ghana’s independent digital fact-checking project, GhanaFact is a non-profit social enterprise that seeks to close the palpable market gap for an independent, non-partisan fact-checking programme in Ghana, West Africa.
GhanaFact is a project by FactSpace West Africa, a legally registered non-profit organisation set up for the purpose of fact-checking and news verification in August 2019." https://ghanafact.com/about/
The project website can be found here: https://ghanafact.com/
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Ghana has seen rapid growth in internet access which has also come with the proliferation of news content creators including blogging websites, satirical news, citizen journalists and “rented propagandists” of politicians. However, these actors largely tend to be the initiators of misinformation/disinformation in Ghana. In a 2019 GhanaFact survey of 400 Ghanaians aimed at understanding the ecosystem of distrust and misinformation in Ghana, 69% of respondents indicated that they had encountered misinformation in the last one year.
Ghana is held up as a shining example of a successful democracy in Africa. However, there is also growing disillusionment among the populace about the country’s pace of development and worryingly, our mode of governance. Political disappointments coupled with the control of the media narrative and framing by politicians are fueling citizens disenchantment. The weaponization of disinformation online has come to polarize the country further.
The twin trouble of growing disinformation online and the waning trust in journalism/ media in Ghana informed our decision to launch a fact-checking and news verification project in August 2019, with our first reports published the following month. Our mission is to help safeguard Ghana’s democracy by minimizing the spread of disinformation/misinformation on social networking and messaging platforms and promoting accuracy in public discourse.
The fact-checking project has a team of seven. This includes three non-executive directors, four writers, one researcher/ graphic designer. Rabiu Alhassan doubles as a non-executive director and writer.
FactSpace West Africa is principally focused on fact-checking and news verification on social and traditional media. However, operating as Ghana's first full-time fact-checking platform we have executed some training in fact-checking for journalists and students from the University of Ghana and Ghana Institute of journalism as part of efforts to grow a vibrant fact-checking community in the country. We aim to develop web applications and maximise technologies in helping our fact-checking work leading into Ghana's December 2020 elections.
Our Vision is to be West Africa’s independent, non-partisan digital fact-checking organization. We aim to ensure ready access to credible information, increase public knowledge across West Africa, train the sub-regions youthful population and grow a budding community of fact-checkers.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
All the required questions have been adequately answered. It is a new initiative that was launched in November 2019 in direct response to a proliferation of mis- and disinformation in Ghana.
This statement by GhanaFact sums of the need and importance in the war against mis- and disinformation in Ghana: "The weaponization of disinformation online has come to polarize the country further. " It highlights the importance of and need for this relatively new initiative.
While manly focused on fact-checking and the verification of news on social platforms and in traditional media, they have also done fact-checking training for journalists and students from the University of Ghana and Ghana Institute of journalism "as part of efforts to grow a vibrant fact-checking community in the country." They are also aiming to develop web applications and other tech to enhance their fact-checking in the run-up to Ghana's December 2020 elections.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
All the stories covered(100%) centered around 4 key public interest areas and they include governance, economy, politics and health. These areas do relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
Operating in a country that has a Right to Information (RTI) law, GhanaFact seeks to verify and fact-check content centering five key areas: governance, political, electoral, economic and health sectors. The public interest areas we focus on were informed by the feedback from the 2019 GhanaFact Survey of 400 Ghanaians seeking to understand the ecosystem of distrust and misinformation in Ghana.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The fact-checks supplied all fall within the required three-month time frame and meet the parameters for compliance. Fact checks all start with a summary of the fact-check: Claim - identifying what is being claimed; Source - the source of the claim; and Verdict - what the fact-check found. They then go on to explain the fact-check in more detail, setting out their evidence with hyperlinks to credible sources. This format makes it easy for anyone reading them to quickly understand the basic fundamentals of what is being fact-checked and the findings.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
This is a new fact-checking initiative in a region where mis- and disinformation has been weaponised - often for political purposes - and is now running rampant. It is impressive how quickly Ghana Fact has got into its stride and is producing regular fact-checks.
Their fact-checks cover a variety of subjects and issues and are not aimed at any single political party, politician or organisation.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Our fact-checking project has NO funding relationship whatsoever with either a local/foreign state, politicians, political parties or political sources.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Recommendation: This statement: "Our fact-checking project has NO funding relationship whatsoever with either a local/foreign state, politicians, political parties or political sources" should be added to the "Funding" section https://ghanafact.com/funding/, which can be found in the drop-down menu in the "About" tab on the home page
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
They do not accept funding from any of these sources.
Recommendation made for1.4 would adequately deal with this issue.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness
To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
- 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
- 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
- 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
- 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.
Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The GhanaFact team selects claims to fact-check based on reach, how relevant the claim is to the public and the potential impact the claim might have on the public if it goes unchecked. The five broad public interest areas we focus on also guide us in the selection of these claims. We are only committed to the facts and listen to all relevant stakeholders in executing our fact-check reports while applying the same methodology to ensure fairness.
The process we use as clearly stated on the "How we work" page on the GhanaFact website is as follows:
Acquisition: GhanaFact team first independently identifies or is alerted to an information that needs to be fact-checked/verified by subscribers
Determination of source of news: GhanaFact team then examines the information/statement and trace the source of the information to establish a veracity
Sources of further information: GhanaFact team brainstorms and outlines possible sources to engage and seek for clarification or further information
Further research: GhanaFact team sanctions further research on the subject to ensure a comprehensive report
Report: A fact-checked report is produced/edited using ethical journalistic standards and adhering to the principles of IFCN
Publication: GhanaFact team would publish the conclusions of the Fact-checked report and rate the accuracy of the information /statement.
EXAMPLES OF FACT CHECKS THAT DEMONSTRATE OUR NON-PARTISANSHIP
1. We fact-checked the Presidential media encounter, one of the most anticipated programmes in Ghana were journalists are expected to hold the President's feet to the fire.
https://ghanafact.com/fact-checked-5-claims-by-president-nana-addo-at-media-encounter/
2. We fact-checked the leader of Ghana's leading opposition party, Former President John Mahama following his Facebook live interaction with citizens.
https://ghanafact.com/fact-check-4-claims-by-john-mahama-during-facebook-live-interaction/
3. We fact-checked Ghana's Vice President's speech at a government town hall meeting to lay-out their achievements in the last three years.
https://ghanafact.com/fact-check-3-claims-by-dr-bawumia-at-govt-town-hall-meeting/
4. This is part 2 of our fact-check of Ghana's Vice President's speech at a government town hall meeting to lay-out their achievements in the last three years.
https://ghanafact.com/part-ii-fact-checking-dr-bawumia-at-govt-town-hall-meeting/
5. We fact-checked some comments by Ghana's Vice President at the governing party's (NPP) National Delegates Conference.
https://ghanafact.com/fact-check-2-claims-by-bawumia-at-npp-national-delegates-conference/
6. We fact-checked some claims by a legislator belonging to the opposition NDC at a programme called the "NDC Moment of Truth"
https://ghanafact.com/fact-checked-2-claims-by-mp-sam-george-at-ndcs-moment-of-truth-series/
7. We fact-checked a viral claim that the President had sacked Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo and Minister of Works and Housing Samuel Atta-Akyea sacked.
https://ghanafact.com/fact-check-gloria-akuffo-atta-akyea-fired/
8. We fact-checked a viral claim that the President planning to reshuffle some members of his administration, that turned out to be FALSE.
https://ghanafact.com/fake-impending-ministerial-reshuffle/
9. We fact-checked a viral claim that the President had ordered the arrest of Ghana's Minister of Environment and the General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP).
https://ghanafact.com/fact-check-minister-of-environment-and-npp-general-secretary-arrested/
10. We fact-checked a claim that President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced plans to close the country’s borders to human traffic for the two weeks.
https://ghanafact.com/ghana-shuts-its-borders-as-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-hit-20/
Our political fact-checks concentrated on the two leading political parties in Ghana, opposition NDC and governing NPP. However, it should be noted that we also fact-checked information around governance due to greater reach and its impact on citizens.borders-as-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-hit-20/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that after examining a random selection of fact-checks that GhanaFact demonstrates non-partisanship in claims that it chooses to fact-check. Claims by both the two main political parties in Ghana are regularly checked.
Ghana Facts is also transparent about its fact-checking process, as the response supplied with this application indicates. A simple explanation of process this can be found under a "How we work" in the "About" drop-down menu. https://bit.ly/353kNtI
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
These details are spelled out clearly in the "How We Work" section in the drop-down menu accessed via the "About" tab on the home page. This includes a simple but effective visualisation of these processes bit.ly/353kNtI
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that Ghana Fact does not show any partisanship in its choice of claims to be fact-checked or any bias its conclusions.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that Ghana Fact does not show any partisanship in its choice of claims to be fact-checked and I found no evidence of any bias in its conclusions in a random selection of fact-checks that I reviewed.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact explains its policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims on the “Our principles” page:
https://ghanafact.com/principles/
FactSpace West Africa, ensured all the GhanaFact team of volunteers had no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organisations. Future employees will also not be hired if they have in the past or at present hold an active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work, which means this is frequently discussed at meetings and team members are always reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media in view of our standards. We do not support any political party.
The "principles" page has been duly updated to reflect the recommendation- https://ghanafact.com/principles/.
Here is what has been added to the page:
Members of the GhanaFact team have no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organizations. FactSpace West Africa will also ensure that future employees will not be hired if they have – in the past or at present – had an active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work and it is frequently discussed at meetings. Team members are regularly reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media. We do not support any political party.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact explains its policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims on the “Our principles” page:
https://ghanafact.com/principles/
FactSpace West Africa, ensured all the GhanaFact team of volunteers had no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organisations. Future employees will also not be hired if they have in the past or at present hold an active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work, which means this is frequently discussed at meetings and team members are always reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media in view of our standards. We do not support any political party.
The "principles" page has been duly updated to reflect the recommendation- https://ghanafact.com/principles/.
Here is what has been added to the page:
Members of the GhanaFact team have no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organizations. FactSpace West Africa will also ensure that future employees will not be hired if they have – in the past or at present – had an active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work and it is frequently discussed at meetings. Team members are regularly reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media. We do not support any political party.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
"GhanaFact is a non-partisan, news fact-checking, and verification platform.
Our team of writers strives to uphold the principles of ethical journalism by promoting truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity, and transparency in the fact-checking/reporting process." See https://ghanafact.com/principles/
GhanaFact also states that it adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles and lists these principles in full. ghanafact.com/principles/
Recommendation: GhanaFact should consider including an edited version of the statement, below, which it supplied with this application, to the "Our Principles" section: https://ghanafact.com/principles/
"FactSpace West Africa ensures that members of the GhanaFact team of volunteers have no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organisations. Future employees will also not be hired if they have - in the past or at present - if they hold or have had any active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work and it is frequently discussed at meetings. Team members are regularly always reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media. We do not support any political party."
cancel 2.5 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
04-May-2020 (4 years ago)
"GhanaFact is a non-partisan, news fact-checking, and verification platform.
Our team of writers strives to uphold the principles of ethical journalism by promoting truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity, and transparency in the fact-checking/reporting process." See https://ghanafact.com/principles/
GhanaFact also states that it adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles and lists these principles in full. ghanafact.com/principles/
Recommendation: GhanaFact should consider including an edited version of the statement, below, which it supplied with this application, to the "Our Principles" section: https://ghanafact.com/principles/
"FactSpace West Africa ensures that members of the GhanaFact team of volunteers have no current or past direct involvement in political or advocacy organisations. Future employees will also not be hired if they have - in the past or at present - if they hold or have had any active role in any political party.
Non-partisanship is crucial in our work and it is frequently discussed at meetings. Team members are regularly always reminded to be wary of their personal communication on social media. We do not support any political party."
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources
To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria
- 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
- 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
- 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
- 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that GhanaFact adequately identifies sources it uses in fact-checks, uses credible sources, and links to them whenever possible.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that GhanaFact meets the required criteria
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that GhanaFact meets the required criteria
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I am satisfied that GhanaFact meets the required criteria
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization
To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
- 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
- 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
- 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
- 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.
Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
FactSpace West Africa is an independent non-partisan organisation executing the GhanaFact fact-checking project. This is stated on the "About Us" page on our website.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
This is clearly stated on the "About" page: https://ghanafact.com/about/
"Ghana’s independent digital fact-checking project, GhanaFact is a non-profit social enterprise that seeks to close the palpable market gap for an independent, non-partisan fact-checking programme in Ghana, West Africa."
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
These two pages detail our funding as an independent non-profit organisation:
https://ghanafact.com/funding/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact is currently funded by the Shuttleworth Foundation but has the stated aim of striving to ensure that no one funder contributes more than 35 percent of its revenue. This, they say, is to ensure that no funder can influence its editorial policy ghanafact.com/funding/
This, on the "About page" (https://ghanafact.com/about/) also refers to GhanaFact's independence:
"Ghana’s independent digital fact-checking project, GhanaFact is a non-profit social enterprise that seeks to close the palpable market gap for an independent, non-partisan fact-checking programme in Ghana, West Africa."
and, "GhanaFact is a project by FactSpace West Africa, a legally registered non-profit organisation set up for the purpose of fact-checking and news verification in August 2019."
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The "How we work" page- https://ghanafact.com/how-we-work/ has been updated to reflect the recommendation given.
Here are some details on the editorial control added to the page:
GhanaFact seeks to promote accuracy in engagements on social media and in public discourse by correcting the spread of false or misleading claims or statements.
The Managing editor has control over the day-to-day editorial decisions of GhanaFact. No other body or sources has any influence over our editorial policy & independence.
We select claims to fact-check based on reach, how relevant the claim is to the public and the potential impact the claim might have on the public if it goes unchecked. GhanaFact is only committed to the facts and listen to all relevant stakeholders in executing our fact-check reports.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The "How we work" page- https://ghanafact.com/how-we-work/ has been updated to reflect the recommendation given.
Here are some details on the editorial control added to the page:
GhanaFact seeks to promote accuracy in engagements on social media and in public discourse by correcting the spread of false or misleading claims or statements.
The Managing editor has control over the day-to-day editorial decisions of GhanaFact. No other body or sources has any influence over our editorial policy & independence.
We select claims to fact-check based on reach, how relevant the claim is to the public and the potential impact the claim might have on the public if it goes unchecked. GhanaFact is only committed to the facts and listen to all relevant stakeholders in executing our fact-check reports.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The process of decision-making by "the team" does not adequately spell out the checks and balances in place, and the people responsible for final decision making. Neither does it explain who makes the final decision to publish.
Recommendation: A more specific, short description of the decision-making process - and the roles and responsibilities of the decision-makers - should be added to the "How we work" page ghanafact.com/how-we-work/
cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
04-May-2020 (4 years ago)
The process of decision-making by "the team" does not adequately spell out the checks and balances in place, and the people responsible for final decision making. Neither does it explain who makes the final decision to publish.
Recommendation: A more specific, short description of the decision-making process - and the roles and responsibilities of the decision-makers - should be added to the "How we work" page ghanafact.com/how-we-work/
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Full bios of the GhanaFact team are published here ghanafact.com/team/
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact has a "Contact Us" page where we encourage users to communicate with the editorial team.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact offerers users several ways to make contact: by email, WhatsApp, phone and via web form. ghanafact.com/contact-us/
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology
To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
- 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
- 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
- 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
- 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
- 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.
Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Required details can be found in the "How we work" section, which is accessed via the "About" tab on the home page ghanafact.com/how-we-work/
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
These compliance requirements are met by GhanaFact
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
These compliance requirement is met by GhanaFact
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
This compliance requirement is met by GhanaFact
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
This compliance requirement is met by GhanaFact
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The "contact us" page is one medium where we expect users to send in claims to check. Also, we have an active WhatsApp line we encourage users to send their claims to so it can be checked. We are also present on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and we receive requests via these platforms as well.
https://ghanafact.com/contact-us/
We have created a “submit a claim to check” page- https://ghanafact.com/submit-a-claim-to-check/ to make users aware of what can and can't be fact-checked.
Just as recommended, here are the details on the page:
Submit a claim to check
Claims that are researched by GhanaFact are done only with publicly available sources.
We concentrate our fact-checks on public interest areas including politics, governance, economy, elections and health.
When we see an inaccurate, misleading or unsubstantiated claim, we push for corrections and withdrawals.
For our team to research a claim, the claim must be:
- A statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a public official or a social media user) or organization (e.g. a report)
- An assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted
- Based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future or an opinion)
- A widely shared claim that might have an impact on the public if it goes unchecked
You can send a claim via the “Contact Us” page on our website or reach us on social media-Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But note that our focus is to fact-check claims and not individuals.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The "contact us" page is one medium where we expect users to send in claims to check. Also, we have an active WhatsApp line we encourage users to send their claims to so it can be checked. We are also present on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and we receive requests via these platforms as well.
https://ghanafact.com/contact-us/
We have created a “submit a claim to check” page- https://ghanafact.com/submit-a-claim-to-check/ to make users aware of what can and can't be fact-checked.
Just as recommended, here are the details on the page:
Submit a claim to check
Claims that are researched by GhanaFact are done only with publicly available sources.
We concentrate our fact-checks on public interest areas including politics, governance, economy, elections and health.
When we see an inaccurate, misleading or unsubstantiated claim, we push for corrections and withdrawals.
For our team to research a claim, the claim must be:
- A statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a public official or a social media user) or organization (e.g. a report)
- An assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted
- Based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future or an opinion)
- A widely shared claim that might have an impact on the public if it goes unchecked
You can send a claim via the “Contact Us” page on our website or reach us on social media-Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But note that our focus is to fact-check claims and not individuals.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact publishes several ways users can make contact on its Contact Us page ghanafact.com/contact-us/ Users can also contact GF via its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
It is important that users are made aware of what can and can't be fact-checked. But this is not spelled out by GF.
Recommendation: It is essential that users are made aware of what can and can’t be fact-checked. This important information should be added to the Contact Us page where anyone wishing to submit a fact-check will immediately see it.
This via FactCheckNI is a useful guide to how it can be worded:
"Claims that are researched by FactCheckNI are done so only with publicly available sources. In order for FactCheckNI to research a claim, the claim must be:
* a statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a politician or campaigner) or organisation (e.g. a report)
* an assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted (to a degree)
* based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future)
cancel 5.6 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
04-May-2020 (4 years ago)
GhanaFact publishes several ways users can make contact on its Contact Us page ghanafact.com/contact-us/ Users can also contact GF via its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
It is important that users are made aware of what can and can't be fact-checked. But this is not spelled out by GF.
Recommendation: It is essential that users are made aware of what can and can’t be fact-checked. This important information should be added to the Contact Us page where anyone wishing to submit a fact-check will immediately see it.
This via FactCheckNI is a useful guide to how it can be worded:
"Claims that are researched by FactCheckNI are done so only with publicly available sources. In order for FactCheckNI to research a claim, the claim must be:
* a statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a politician or campaigner) or organisation (e.g. a report)
* an assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted (to a degree)
* based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future)
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy
To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
- 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
- 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
- 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
- 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.
Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The corrections policy can be found on the "How We Work" page https://ghanafact.com/how-we-work/
The corrections policy is also spelled out in the Our Principles section in the About tab, where they say they subscribe to the IFCN's Code of Conduct of and spell out the various principles, including the (IFCN) policy on corrections https://ghanafact.com/principles/
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
A new “correction” page has been created- https://ghanafact.com/corrections/.
Just as recommended the following details have been added:
Corrections policy
We are committed to getting it right than first.
However, if you see a mistake or omission in any of our reports, please let us know. Our team will be ready to correct them as quickly and transparently as we can.
You can send corrections or complaints to info@ghanafact.com.
You can also send feedback via the Contact Us section on our website. All correspondence will be reviewed and appropriately answered within the shortest possible time.
To ensure we fully grasp what your concerns are, comments and complaints should be as clear as possible. Where possible, please include any links to reference material or data that is publicly accessible.
We cannot promise to check every claim suggested but we do promise to read all suggestions.
For our team to research a claim, the claim must be:
- A statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a public official or a social media user) or organization (e.g. a report)
- An assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted
- Based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future or an opinion)
- A widely shared claim that might have an impact on the public if it goes unchecked
You can send a claim via the “Contact Us” page on our website or reach us on social media-Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But note that our focus is to fact-check claims and not individuals.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
A new “correction” page has been created- https://ghanafact.com/corrections/.
Just as recommended the following details have been added:
Corrections policy
We are committed to getting it right than first.
However, if you see a mistake or omission in any of our reports, please let us know. Our team will be ready to correct them as quickly and transparently as we can.
You can send corrections or complaints to info@ghanafact.com.
You can also send feedback via the Contact Us section on our website. All correspondence will be reviewed and appropriately answered within the shortest possible time.
To ensure we fully grasp what your concerns are, comments and complaints should be as clear as possible. Where possible, please include any links to reference material or data that is publicly accessible.
We cannot promise to check every claim suggested but we do promise to read all suggestions.
For our team to research a claim, the claim must be:
- A statement made in public, which can be attributed to a specific person (e.g. a public official or a social media user) or organization (e.g. a report)
- An assertion or allegation that can be validated or refuted
- Based on past or present actions (i.e. not speculative about the future or an opinion)
- A widely shared claim that might have an impact on the public if it goes unchecked
You can send a claim via the “Contact Us” page on our website or reach us on social media-Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But note that our focus is to fact-check claims and not individuals.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
These criteria are mostly met under a "Corrections" heading in the "How we work" section.
Recommendation: I would suggest that GhanaFact consider repeating the information I have suggested in 5.6 on what they can and can't check here as well.
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
04-May-2020 (4 years ago)
These criteria are mostly met under a "Corrections" heading in the "How we work" section.
Recommendation: I would suggest that GhanaFact consider repeating the information I have suggested in 5.6 on what they can and can't check here as well.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.
FactSpace West Africa
09-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
There have been no correction request in the last six months since we started operations.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
GhanaFact says that they have not received a request for a correction since they launched in November 2019
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
On the "About Us" page on https://ghanafact.com/about/ :
As recommended we have added that-
GhanaFact subscribes to the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles and if you believe that we are in breach of these principles you can lodge a complaint.
FactSpace West Africa
30-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
On the "About Us" page on https://ghanafact.com/about/ :
As recommended we have added that-
GhanaFact subscribes to the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles and if you believe that we are in breach of these principles you can lodge a complaint.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
I could not find any reference to this.
Recommendation: Add a "Complaints link in the "About drop-down menu.
I suggest the following - or similar - wording: "GhanaFact subscribes to the International Fact-Checking Network's Code of principles (linking to this bit.ly/2KyLUDk
If you believe that we are in breach of these principles you can lodge a complaint here: https://bit.ly/2S4TNok
I also recommend that the IFCN logo be added to this page with a link to https://www.poynter.org/ifcn/
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Raymond Joseph.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
04-May-2020 (4 years ago)
I could not find any reference to this.
Recommendation: Add a "Complaints link in the "About drop-down menu.
I suggest the following - or similar - wording: "GhanaFact subscribes to the International Fact-Checking Network's Code of principles (linking to this bit.ly/2KyLUDk
If you believe that we are in breach of these principles you can lodge a complaint here: https://bit.ly/2S4TNok
I also recommend that the IFCN logo be added to this page with a link to https://www.poynter.org/ifcn/
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
20-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Not applicable